JP3990635B2 - System, method, and computer program product for configuring a computer system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to controlling the operation of a computer system, and more particularly to configuring a computer system by applying a plurality of configuration files associated with a particular aspect of a current operating session.

  Computer systems are typically implemented with stand-alone computer elements or networked computer elements. In a stand-alone computer element, all static configuration data and dynamic transaction data are stored and processed in one computer element, such as a computer local to the user. This type of computer system generally requires that the computer elements include large capacity storage and large processing power. This can be costly. Further, if there is any change in the configuration data or other instructions that control the operation of the computer system, the user must actually access the computer element to make the change. For this reason, if two or more stand-alone computing elements have to be accessed, the change is time consuming and therefore expensive.

  However, in networked computer elements, much of the static configuration data and dynamic transaction data is stored and processed on a server located remotely from the computer element. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of networked computer elements. In this embodiment, the computer element 22 communicates with the server 28 via the network 26. A networked computer element does not store duplicate information on a plurality of stand-alone computer elements, but stores any common data and application information with a server 28 or network 26 that the computer element can access. Is advantageous because it can be stored in one central location. Furthermore, many of the changes to common applications and / or underlying data take less time than changes to multiple stand-alone computer elements. This is because a set of changes can be made at a central location without requiring actual access to each computer element.

  Referring now to FIG. 1, the computer system refers to the computer element 22, the user of the computer element, the location of the computer element, and any other aspect of the computer system that can affect the function and / or presentation of the computer element. Prepare. For example, the computer elements 32, 34 and 36 may be located at different locations and different users may utilize the computer elements for various activities. Alternatively, the same user may utilize computer elements at different locations based on the type of activity, shift work, day of the week, or other variables associated with the user's use of the computer element. In addition, there may be characteristics common to all or most of the operating sessions initiated on a computer element for characteristics such as the computer element, user, location, etc. of a computer system, while others such as a particular computer element, user, location, etc. There may be characteristics specific to a particular operating session of the computer system.

Thus, in any type of computer system implementation, the computer element must have access to configuration data. This configuration data includes, among other things, the presentation of information to the user accessing the computer element, the peripheral devices with which the computer element communicates, the rules for processing information received from the user, and any other type of instruction relating to the functionality of the computer system. Contains the instructions of the computer element that defines In general, preference data is stored in a preference file associated with either a particular computer element or a particular user. Therefore, when the user logs on to the computer elements of the computer system, the computer element, receives the configuration commands from one of the configuration file or user configuration file of the computer elements. Typically, a configuration file associated with a particular computer element or a particular user will contain general instructions common to all of the computer elements and / or users of the computer system, as well as that particular computer element and / or its particular Includes both user specific instructions.

  The configuration file associated with a computer element includes instructions regarding how the computer element is configured each time the user logs on to the computer element, regardless of the identity of the user. Therefore, regardless of which user logs on to a particular computer element, each time the user logs on, the computer element is configured in the same form. If a particular user who logs on to a calculator element wants different or customized preferences, that user must manually configure the calculator element accordingly each time they log on to the calculator element. I must. This work is a work that requires a lot of time for the user. Further, when general configuration attributes change, users and / or system administrators typically have to access and modify each configuration file individually. This is also a laborious task that again requires a great deal of time for the user and / or system administrator.

  On the other hand, the configuration file associated with a user specifies how the computer element 22 is configured each time that particular user logs on to the computer element 22 regardless of the identity of the computer element. Including instructions. Thus, each time a particular user logs on to any computer element of the computer system, that computer element is configured according to that user's configuration file. This type of configuration works well when the user's mission never changes for the particular computer element that the user is using. However, certain computer elements of the computer system are used for a given activity, while other computer elements are used for another activity, and the user moves to various computer elements to perform those activities. If so, each time a user changes a computer element, the computer element is configured for that particular user, but not for a given activity assigned to that computer element. As such, each time a user logs on to a computer element, the user must manually configure the computer element for a predetermined activity assigned to that computer element. This operation also requires a great amount of time for the user.

  In a computer system where a given activity can be assigned to a computer element, one way to avoid having to configure at least a portion of the computer element each time a user logs on to the computer element is to It is hard-coded by a predetermined instruction for the activity assigned to the computer element. The computer element may then receive information from the configuration file associated with the particular user. However, in this situation, if the activity assigned to a particular computer element constantly changes, the administrator must actually access the computer element to change the hard-coded instructions of that computer element. Don't be. This is a very laborious process that takes a lot of time for the administrator.

In this way, for any computer element in a computer system, it usually takes into account the activities associated with that computer element and the specific user logging on to that computer element, without tying preferences to either the user or the computer element. There is no way to dynamically set the environment with the entered instruction. In addition, computer elements for computer elements of computer systems and / or general instructions that usually apply to all or most of the users, as well as specific instructions that apply to a small group of computer systems or individual computer elements or users There is no efficient way to set up the environment. For this reason, the user and / or administrator of the computer system must perform a relatively large number of environment settings after logging on to the computer element. Also, regardless of whether the computer element accesses the user preference file, the computer element preference file, or whether the user preference file is combined with hard-coded preference settings. First, the user and / or administrator of the computer system must perform a relatively large amount of work to modify any existing configuration file.

  In view of the above detailed discussion, the computer industry may find certain computer elements efficient for a particular user of a computer system, the function of a particular computer element, and / or any other aspect of the overall computer system. In addition, there is a demand for a function for dynamically setting the environment. This allows the computer element user and / or computer system administrator to spend a significant amount of time setting up the environment each time the user logs on to a particular computer element or if the existing configuration file changes. It is not necessary to break the bones. In addition to configuring different preferences based on activity associated with a particular user and computer element, a particular computer system can be configured based on the location of the computer element, the day of the week, or any other aspect of the computer system. It may be advantageous to have different environmental settings. However, conventional environment setting techniques typically do not provide an efficient way to customize the environment settings of a computer system by providing environment settings based on any or all desired aspects of the computer system. There is therefore a need for an efficient method.

  The systems and methods of the present invention provide for efficient configuration of a computer system based on specific computer system aspects that exist for a particular operational session. A session environment setting file is generated for the operating session by updating the environment setting attributes of the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attributes included in the aspect environment setting file associated with the specific aspect of the specific computer system. A particular aspect of a particular computer system is, for example, a particular computer element, a particular user of the computer element, a particular location of the computer element, and / or any other aspect of the computer system. Thus, the session configuration file can be created as any combination of aspects of a particular computer system associated with the configuration file so that the user and / or administrator do not need to configure the computer system separately. In addition, a specific computer system including an arbitrary peripheral device is appropriately set for a specific operation session.

An advantageous embodiment of the present system and method for controlling the operation of a particular computer system based on a predetermined aspect of the computer system is the basic environment, in a predetermined sequence, depending on the configuration attributes contained in the aspect configuration file. It includes generating session environment settings by updating environment setting attributes included in the configuration file. Therefore, the environment setting attribute of the aspect environment setting file at the latter stage of the sequence may overwrite the environment setting attribute of the basic environment setting file and the environment setting attribute of the initial aspect environment setting file of the sequence. In addition, the activated preference attributes included in the aspect configuration file at the end of the sequence can be overwritten by the preference attributes included in the basic configuration file and any aspect configuration file earlier in the sequence. Embodiments include activating selected configuration attributes of an aspect configuration file. Moreover, the basic configuration file and / or the aspect configuration file can include scripts. This script defines a predetermined operation of a particular computer system that requires the processing element of the present invention to perform an action. Thus, when the computer system is requested to perform a predetermined operation, the processing element performs an action related to the script.

  An example of an aspect environment setting file is an environment setting file associated with a computer element of a computer system, a user of the computer element, and a location of the computer element. The relationship between aspect configuration files and computer system aspects, such as computer elements, computer element users, and computer element locations, is used to identify the appropriate aspect configuration files that update the basic configuration files. It can be defined in an association table accessible by the processing element of the invention. In addition, there may be more than one aspect configuration file associated with each aspect of the computer system. Thus, the first aspect configuration file can include general configuration attributes, while the second configuration file associated with the same aspect as the first aspect configuration file is a specific configuration attribute. including. In this embodiment, the session configuration file generated from at least the first and second aspect configuration files includes both general configuration settings attributes and specific configuration settings attributes.

  Accordingly, generation of a session configuration file by updating the basic configuration with at least one aspect configuration provides efficient and effective control of the operation of a particular computer system, and a specific operation session of the computer system. Is customized to a specific user, a specific computer element, a specific location, and / or any other aspect of the computer system that affects the configuration of the computer system. As such, the session configuration file contains all of the appropriate configuration attributes so that after the user initiates a particular computer system operating session, the user and / or administrator spends time and effort. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the environment of the computer element.

  Thus, although the present invention has been generally described, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. These attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to a certain scale.

  The invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. Indeed, these inventions can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

  The systems and methods of the present invention provide for efficient configuration of a computer system based on aspects of the computer system that exist for a particular computer system operating session. A session environment setting file is generated for an operation session by updating the environment setting attributes of the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attributes included in the aspect environment setting file. An aspect configuration file relates to an aspect of a specific computer system, such as, for example, a specific computer element, a specific user of the computer element, a specific location of the computer element, and / or any other aspect of the computer system. Thus, the session configuration file can be created as any combination of computer system aspects associated with the configuration file so that the user and / or administrator do not need to individually configure the computer elements. Properly configure a specific computer system for a specific operating session.

  FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a method and system 20 of one embodiment of the present invention for configuring a computer system. The computer system includes, but is not limited to, the computer element 22, the user of the computer element, the location of the computer element, and any other aspect of the computer system that can affect the function of the computer element. The system 20 typically includes a computer element 22 and a server 28 connected via a network 26. The system 20 also generally includes processing components that may reside on the computer element 22 and / or the server 28, as will be more fully described below. Computer element 22 and server 28 may be distributed as part of different workstations, computers, servers or computer devices. These different workstations, computers, servers or computing devices can reside at different physical locations and can communicate with each other over the Internet, intranet or other network 26. To maintain consistency, the following discussion assumes that different components of system 20 are distributed unless otherwise noted. However, in another embodiment, computer element 22 and server 28 may be part of a single workstation, computer, server or other computer device and thus communicate with each other via an internal transmission line. May be.

  The storage element may be part of the computer element 22 and / or the server 28, or may be separate from the computer element 22 and the server 28, and the computer element 22 and the server 28 via the Internet, an intranet or other network. You may communicate with. Regardless of the configuration, the storage element is accessed by other components of the system 20 via an interface, such as an active data object (ADO) interface or an open data connectivity (ODAC) interface. The The storage element may be a database or any other storage device known to those skilled in the art.

The computer element 22 represents the portion of the computer system that includes the user interface, and the computer system user can utilize the computer element 22 to perform tasks and activities associated with the computer system. The computer element 22 can support a laptop computer 32, a personal computer or workstation 34, a plurality of networked personal computers or workstations 36, or a user interface, and is configured for operation on any type of computer platform . Any other type of computer device may be used. The user interface may be part of an application program stored in the computer element 22. The user interface is generally of any type capable of properly presenting information to the user, requesting user input and receiving information from the user, and communicating with the network 26. Interface. The system 20 can include many client components 22 so that many users can use the computer system. The computer element (or computer elements) 22 is physically located anywhere as long as it can communicate with the server 28, storage elements and processing components via internal communications, the Internet, an intranet or other network 26. Also good.

The server 28 in one advantageous embodiment may be an application server. The application server can use any current operating system, such as, for example, Microsoft Windows. An application program can reside in the server 28. This application program, among other functions, provides information necessary to perform a task and / or requested information,
Provide to the computer element 22 in any suitable form. The user views this form as a “screen” via a computer element 22 and a user interface including, for example, a display. As is known to those skilled in the art, the screen can be interactive and can prompt the user with actions or information necessary for the computer system to perform the desired function. The application program stored in the computer element 22 and / or the server 28 accesses / issues the storage element based on the action taken by the user and / or the user's request, and the content for any of the screens. Can also be provided.

  In order for calculator element 22 to operate properly, calculator element 22 must be configured to include appropriate parameters for the desired operation. This environment setting is usually included in the environment setting file. The environment setting file is stored in the storage element of the computer element 22, the server 28, and / or an independent storage element. The configuration file can contain any type of information or instructions that are required, ie configuration attributes. This preference attribute ensures that the functionality of the computer element and application program is provided to the user in the desired manner, ensures that the peripheral device that communicates with the computer is configured correctly, and / or It is necessary to ensure that any other parameters related to the implementation of the application program have the correct definition.

  In addition, when the computer system is requested to execute a predetermined operation (or operations) specified in the script or automatically executes, it is related to the operation (or operations). The configuration attribute may also include an option to link the script to a predetermined action (or actions) of the computer system so that the performed action is performed as specified in the script. Creation of a script allows an organization to customize computer systems according to their corporate rules. For example, if the user requires the computer system to perform certain actions that are not allowed by the organization, or if there is a more desirable alternative to the requested action, the script will Instructions for displaying the message can be included. Thus, the processing element of the present invention recognizes when a predetermined action associated with the script is performed automatically or requested by the user, accesses the linked script and is directed to the script. Perform the act.

  FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a storage element 38 that includes a configuration file 40, an association table 42, and a sequence 44. The environment setting file 40 includes a basic environment setting file 46 and at least one aspect environment setting file 48. The basic configuration file 46 may include general configuration attributes and / or common configuration attributes for configuring a relatively large group of computers of the computer system or all of the computer elements of the network. The aspect configuration file 48 may include more limited configuration attributes for configuring a relatively small group of computer systems or individual computer elements. In addition, the aspect configuration file can be related via the association table 42 to certain aspects of the computer system, such as computer elements, users, locations, and any other aspect of the computer system.

For example, an aspect configuration file is specific to the language used to display items presented to the user via the user interface, application programs available to the user, security associated with the user, and a particular user. Predetermined configuration attributes such as any other characteristic can be included. The aspect configuration file can be associated with a particular user of the computer system, as specified in the association table 42. Other aspect configuration files include instructions on peripheral devices with which the computer elements can communicate and instructions on how those peripheral devices should operate, application programs that reside on or are accessible through the computer elements, It may include predetermined configuration attributes such as activities assigned to the computer system, as well as any other instructions relating to the function of the computer element. The aspect configuration file can be associated with a particular computer element of the computer system, as specified in the association table 42. In addition, the aspect configuration file includes configuration attributes in configuration table 42 for configuring computer elements associated with any other aspect of the computer system, such as the location of the computer element or the day on which the computer element operates. be able to.

  The predetermined aspect of the computer system can also be associated with the primary aspect configuration file and the secondary aspect configuration file. Thus, a particular user can be associated with a primary aspect configuration file that includes configuration attributes common to that user and at least one other user. The particular user can then be associated with a secondary aspect file that includes configuration attributes specific to that user. For example, if the computer system includes a group of multiple users and user A is the only user who speaks Spanish, but all users in that group have the same security settings, the primary aspect associated with user A The configuration file may include security configuration attributes common to a group of users, and the secondary aspect configuration file associated with user A may include Spanish configuration attributes specific to user A. it can.

  The storage element 38 may also include a sequence 44 of sequences in which the configuration attributes of the basic configuration file 46 are updated with the configuration attributes of the aspect configuration file 48 associated with a particular aspect of a given computer system. . Thereby, a session environment setting file for a predetermined computer system is generated. For example, as shown in sequence 44, the configuration attributes of the basic configuration file 46 are first updated by the primary aspect environment file associated with a particular computer element of a given computer system, and then its secondary aspect. Updated by environment file. Next, the environment setting attribute of the basic environment setting file 46 is updated by a primary aspect environment setting file associated with a specific user of a predetermined computer system, and then updated by the secondary aspect environment setting file. Some embodiments of the present invention change the sequence in order to update the configuration attributes of the basic configuration file in the most advantageous manner with respect to the environment of the computer system.

  Updating a preference attribute in a basic configuration file with the configuration attribute in a given aspect configuration file can be used for any basic configuration file that is different from the configuration attribute (or attributes) of a particular aspect configuration file. It will entail overwriting the preference attribute (or attributes) with the preference attribute (or attributes) of that particular aspect preference file. As a result, the group of preference attributes will continue in the same way until the sequence attribute reaches the last aspect configuration file and the resulting group of preference attributes constitutes the session configuration file. It will be overwritten by the environment setting attribute of the configuration file.

In yet another embodiment of the system of the present invention, the configuration attributes included in the aspect configuration file 48 can include activation options. When an activation option for a particular configuration attribute in the configuration file is activated, the activation option will use the same configuration attribute contained in the initial basic configuration file and / or aspect configuration file of the sequence, The initial environment setting attribute may be overwritten regardless of whether it is activated. In this embodiment, if the environment setting attribute of the aspect environment setting file at the latter stage of the sequence is different from the environment setting attribute of the initial environment setting file of the sequence, but it is not activated, the environment setting attribute at the latter stage is different. The attribute will not overwrite the initial environment setting attribute.

  As a result, the group of environment setting attributes constitutes a session environment setting file. This session configuration file can then be accessed by and applied to the processing elements of the present invention to efficiently and appropriately configure the computing elements for a given computing session. Here, the environment setting of the computer system is described as generating the session environment setting file by updating the environment setting attribute of the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the predetermined aspect environment setting file. The generation of a session configuration file includes providing configuration attributes associated with a given computer system in any manner known to those skilled in the art. This does not include creating an actual session configuration file. In other words, the actual session environment setting file does not need to be created. Instead, the processing element of the present invention only accesses and uses the basic configuration file that has not been updated with the configuration attributes of the applicable aspect configuration file (or files). Good. For preference attributes in the basic configuration file that have not been updated by the applicable preference attribute in the aspect configuration file (or files), the processing element accesses the appropriate aspect configuration file for the given computer system. It is only necessary to use the environment setting attribute of the accessed aspect environment setting file instead of the attribute stored in the basic environment setting file.

  Similarly, the basic environment setting file and the aspect environment setting file are not necessarily actual files. These files also include providing configuration attributes in any way known to those skilled in the art. Examples include storing all or a group of common location or common location preference attributes and designating a particular preference attribute as a basic preference attribute or an aspect preference attribute it can. Therefore, appropriate environment setting attributes (or a plurality of environment setting attributes) can be accessed from a common location (or a plurality of common locations) as necessary.

  3A and 3B show functional examples of the system and method for controlling the operation of the computer system of the present invention. 3A and 3B show a computer system having four computer elements, two users, and two locations, the functions described below are for two or more computer elements, two or more users. And any computer system environment including two or more locations. The computer system of FIGS. 3A and 3B communicates with the server 28 via the network 26 as described above.

FIG. 3A illustrates a particular computer system in which user A utilizes computer element A at location A and computer element C at location B, and user B utilizes computer element B at location A and computer element D at location B. Show. FIG. 3B illustrates another particular computer in which user B utilizes computer element A in location A and computer element C in location B, and user A utilizes computer element B in location A and computer element D in location B. Shows the system. These users can work in different places at different times. Thus, these users can utilize different computer elements at different locations for some reason, such as shift work, days of the week, and / or specific activities performed by the user. The requirements for these computer systems are that all of the computer elements at location A must be configured to use peripheral device A, while all of the computer elements at location B use peripheral device B. Must be configured, computer elements A and C must be configured to perform activity A, while computer elements B and D must be configured to perform activity B And user A must use a computer element configured for Spanish-speaking users, while user B must use a computer element configured for English-speaking users. Including that.

  Thus, the system administrator can set up a basic configuration file that includes all of the configuration attributes common to all of the locations, computer elements, and users. The basic configuration file may also include default settings or default instructions for any other configuration attributes. Thereby, when the aspect environment setting file of a specific aspect does not exist, as described above, the basic environment setting file is not overwritten, and thus includes a default environment setting attribute. Alternatively, the system administrator may prepare a default aspect configuration file having default configuration attributes. This default configuration file will be applied when there is no specific aspect configuration file associated with a specific aspect of this specific computer system. Further, the system administrator may prepare an aspect environment setting file including environment setting attributes necessary for satisfying the above requirements of the computer system. For example, an aspect configuration file (ACF) 1 and an ACF 2 respectively have instructions and / or configuration-related configuration configuration attributes for configuring a computer element to communicate with the peripheral device A and the peripheral device B. Can be included. ACF3 and ACF4 may include configuration attributes required to configure the computer element to perform activity A and activity B, respectively. ACF 5 and ACF 6 can also include environment setting attributes required to configure the computer element to present information to the user in Spanish and English, respectively. Further, the administrator may prepare a script and specify a link to the script of the environment setting attribute of any of the aspect environment setting files described above. The script includes instructions for the processing element to perform an action when a predetermined operation of the computer system is performed. For example, if the user requests an action that cannot or should not be performed for activity A or activity B, respectively, ACF 3 and ACF 4 display an error message or a message listing options to the user of the calculator element. You can include a link to a script that contains instructions for.

The system administrator can then associate one or more of ACF 1-6 with a predetermined aspect of the computer system. For example, ACF1 can be associated with location A to ensure that the computer element at location A is configured for peripheral device A. To ensure that the computer element at location B is configured for peripheral device B, ACF2 can be associated with location B. To ensure that computer elements A and C are configured for activity A, ACF3 can be associated with computer elements A and C. To ensure that computer elements B and D are configured for activity B, ACF 4 can be associated with computer elements B and D. To ensure that any computer element that User A is utilizing is configured to present information to User A in Spanish, ACF 5 can be associated with User A. To ensure that any computer element that User B is utilizing is configured to present information to User B in English, ACF 6 can be associated with User B. The system may also include a sequence in which the basic configuration file is updated by the location ACF, then updated by the computer element ACF, and then updated by the user ACF. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the user A starts an operation session at the computer element A at the location A constituting the specific computer system, the processing element accesses the basic environment setting file and stores the basic environment setting file. Update with the appropriate aspect configuration file (in this example, ACF1 (ie, ACF of location), ACF3 (ie, ACF of computer element), and ACF5 (ie, ACF of user)) A session environment setting file for setting the environment of the computer element A to perform communication, execution of activity A, and presentation of information to the user A in Spanish is generated. The appropriate aspect configuration file is similarly accessed when user B initiates an operating session with computer element B at location A, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and sets the basic configuration file to ACF1 (ie, Updated by location ACF), ACF4 (ie computer element ACF), and ACF6 (ie user ACF), thereby communicating with peripheral device A, performing activity B, and presenting information to user B in English A session environment setting file for setting the environment of the computer element B is generated so as to perform the above. When user A initiates an operating session with computer element C at location B, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and refers to the basic configuration file as ACF2 (ie, ACF at the location), ACF3 (ie, ACF at the computer element). ) And ACF5 (ie, the user's ACF), thereby configuring computer element B to communicate with peripheral device B, perform activity A, and present information to user A in Spanish Generate a session configuration file. Finally, when user B initiates an operating session with computer element D at location B, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file, which is stored in ACF2 (ie, location ACF), ACF4 (ie, computer). Element ACF) and ACF6 (ie, user's ACF) to update computer element D to communicate with peripheral device B, perform activity B, and present information to user B in English Generate a session environment setting file to be set.

  However, as shown in FIG. 3B, when user B initiates an operating session with computer element A at location A, the computer element must be configured to operate in English for user B. Thus, the processing element of the present invention accesses the basic configuration file and updates the basic configuration file with ACF1, ACF3, and ACF6, thereby communicating with peripheral device A, performing activity A, and in English. A session environment setting file for setting the environment of the computer element A so as to present information to the user B is generated. When user A initiates an operating session with computer element B at location A, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and updates the basic configuration file with ACF1, ACF4, and ACF5, thereby causing peripheral device A to A session environment setting file for setting the environment of the computer element B is generated so as to communicate with the user, execute the activity B, and present information to the user A in Spanish. When user B initiates an operating session with computer element C at location B, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and updates the basic configuration file with ACF2, ACF3, and ACF6, thereby causing peripheral device B to A session environment setting file for setting the environment of the computer element B so as to communicate with the user, execute the activity A, and present information to the user B in English. Finally, when user A initiates an operating session with computer element D at location B, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and updates the basic configuration file with ACF2, ACF4, and ACF5, thereby A session environment setting file is generated for setting the computer element D to communicate with the peripheral device B, execute the activity B, and present information to the user A in Spanish.

Although not shown in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B, the computer element can be changed in location and can continue to be properly configured. For example, the user A can start an operation session at the location A with the computer element C constituting the specific computer system. Then, the processing element of the present invention accesses the basic environment setting file, and converts the basic environment setting file into an appropriate aspect environment setting file (in this example, ACF1 (that is, ACF of the place), ACF3 (that is, ACF of the computer element)). , And ACF5
A session that configures computing element C to communicate with peripheral device A, perform activity A, and present information to user A in Spanish. Generate an environment setting file. Similarly, when user B initiates an operating session with computer element D at location A, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file, and the basic configuration file is stored in ACF1 (ie, location ACF), ACF4 (ie, Computer element D to be updated by computer element ACF) and ACF6 (ie user ACF), thereby communicating with peripheral device A, performing activity B, and presenting information to user B in English Generate a session environment setting file to set the environment. When user A initiates an operating session with computer element A at location B, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and stores the basic configuration file as ACF2 (ie, location ACF), ACF3 (ie, ACF of the computer element). ) And ACF5 (ie, the user's ACF), thereby configuring computer element A to communicate with peripheral device B, perform activity A, and present information to user A in Spanish Generate a session configuration file. Finally, when user B initiates an operating session with computer element B at location B, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and stores the basic configuration file as ACF2 (ie, location ACF), ACF4 (ie, computer). Element ACF), and ACF6 (ie user ACF) to update computer element B to communicate with peripheral device B, perform activity B, and present information to user B in English Generate a session environment setting file to be set.

  Therefore, the system for controlling the computer system of the present invention allows any user to access any computer element at any location. Also, certain computer elements are properly configured for a particular operating session without wasting time in the configuration process and forcing the user and / or administrator to be laborious. Further, the computer element and / or user can move locations or change activities. The computer elements are then properly configured based on the specific aspects of the computer system that exist for a given operating session of the computer system. In addition, preference files are stored in a central location, and preference files can be prepared to include only general or specific preference attributes, so any or all of the computer system When re-environment setting is necessary, the administrator can easily make a change by accessing only the environment setting file including the environment setting attribute to be activated.

  In order to further describe the system and method for controlling the operation of the computer system of the present invention, a description of a specific embodiment for controlling the operation of the delivery computer system is included below. The system and method of the present invention is advantageous for organizations that manage package delivery operations. This is typically done at various locations because the organizations perform delivery operations 24 hours a day for different types and sizes of packages delivered to their destinations via various transport devices. This is because they have different users who use different types of delivery computers.

  4A and 4B show functions of the system and method for controlling the operation of the computer system of the present invention as an example applied to a delivery environment. 4A and 4B show a delivery computer system having four computer elements, namely a carrier delivery computer, two users, and two locations, ie a shipping center. However, the functions described below are applicable to any computer system environment that includes two or more computer elements, two or more users, and two or more locations. The computer system shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B communicates with the server 28 via the network 26 as described above.

  In FIG. 4A, user A uses a delivery device A delivery computer for large package delivery at delivery center A and a delivery computer A delivery computer for delivery of small package at delivery center B. 1 shows a specific delivery computer system that uses a large package delivery transport device B delivery computer and a shipping center B small package delivery transport device B delivery computer. In FIG. 4B, the user B uses the delivery computer A delivery computer for delivering large packages at the shipping center A and the delivery computer A delivery computer for delivering small packages at the shipping center B. Figure 2 shows another specific delivery computer system that utilizes a large luggage delivery carrier B delivery computer and a shipping center B small luggage delivery carrier B delivery computer. The requirements for these computer systems must be configured so that all of the shipping computers at shipping center A utilize a predetermined large baggage peripheral device, such as a weighing machine that weighs a large baggage or a loading platform. On the other hand, all of the shipping computers in shipping center B must be configured to utilize a predetermined small package peripheral device such as a small scale that weighs letters or small packages, for example. . The large baggage delivery computers of the transporters A and B must be configured to perform the delivery of large packages and be configured for every operation specific to the transporters A and B, respectively. The A and B small parcel delivery computers must be configured to perform small parcel delivery and be configured for every operation specific to the transporters A and B, respectively. For example, the carrier A delivery computer may require communication with a set of label printers, document printers, and / or reading devices specific to the carrier A, while the carrier B delivery computer Communication with another set of label printers, document printers, and / or reading devices specific to transport device B may be required. Further, user A must use a delivery computer configured for Spanish-speaking users, while user B must use a delivery computer configured for English-speaking users. Don't be.

As described above and further below, the system for controlling a computer system of the present invention provides a system of computer systems by allowing any user access to any computer element at any location. Provides flexibility and efficiency in computing element configuration. Also, certain computer elements are properly configured for a particular operating session without wasting time in the configuration process and forcing the user and / or administrator to be laborious. In addition, the computer elements can be relocated and continue to be properly configured. FIG. 5 shows a computer system having at least three aspects: user (U), computer element (C), and location (L). A particular aspect, ie, U1-U5, C1-C4, L1-L3, can be associated with a particular aspect configuration file, ie, A1-A11. Each of these specific aspect configuration files includes configuration attributes that appropriately configure the computer elements of a particular operating session of the computer system. Here, the specific operation session of the computer system includes at least a user, a computer element, and a location. If a particular aspect (or multiple aspects) that exists for a given operating session is related to an aspect configuration file (or multiple files) according to the association table described above with reference to FIG. The preference attributes of the / these aspect preference files (or files) may update the basic preference file and provide a set of preference attributes that are specific to a given operating session. For example, for one predetermined operating session of a computer system comprising U1, C1, and L1, aspect configuration files A10 (associated with U1), A9 (associated with C1), and A11 (associated with L1 ) are: As described above, the basic environment setting file is updated for the computer system according to the sequence of the computer system. In another predetermined operating session of a computer system with U5, C4, and L3, the aspect configuration file A1 is associated with all three aspects, and the configuration attributes of A1 are basic for this computer system. The environment setting file will be updated. In any of these examples, if the aspect configuration file is not associated with at least one of a user, a computer element, and a location, the general associated with that computer system user, computer element, and location respectively. Any aspect configuration file / default aspect configuration file may be accessed, or the default configuration attributes of the basic configuration file may be related to the aspect of a particular computer system operating session. It will be applied for any configuration attribute that has not been overwritten by the file.

  The versatility of this system is provided by configuration files that each contain all of the configuration attribute choices appropriate for a given organization's computer system. The system administrator typically accesses the overall requirements, characteristics, and functions of the organization's computer system and prepares the aspect configuration file accordingly. For example, if all users of a computer system prefer to present information in English on a computer element, but each user works in a different currency, the system administrator will have all the behavior of the computer system. An English environment setting attribute is specified in an environment setting file including general / common environment setting attributes to be applied to the session, for example, a basic environment setting file or a general aspect environment setting file. On the other hand, the environment setting attribute of a specific currency is specified in an aspect environment setting file associated with each specific user. Alternatively, when a computer system user speaks various languages but works in the same currency, the system administrator designates environment setting attributes of a specific language in the aspect environment setting file. The aspect configuration file includes specific configuration attributes associated with each specific user or group of users. On the other hand, the environment setting attribute of currency is specified in an environment setting to be applied to all operation sessions of the computer system, for example, a basic environment setting file or a general aspect environment setting file. In this way, the system administrator activates the desired configuration attributes in each file, specifies any other information required for the particular configuration attributes, and the desired specific aspect (or computer system) (or A plurality of necessary environment setting files can be prepared by associating a plurality of aspects) with the environment setting file. In addition to this, the system administrator may prepare a default environment setting file. As described above, this default environment setting file is applied when the aspect environment setting file is not associated with a specific aspect of the computer system.

  From this point of view, the delivery computer system must be configured so that each delivery computer at a particular location for a particular transporter and a particular user is properly configured and operated. This is usually done by the system administrator in the present invention. The administrator performs the above-described functions through the management system. This management system is referred to as Connectware Warehouse (trademark) by the applicant of the present application, but is referred to as a management system in this specification. The management system provides a user interface and function for an administrator to properly prepare an environment setting file having appropriate environment setting attributes and associate the environment setting file with an appropriate aspect of the computer system. This includes preparing a script or linking an existing script to a predetermined operation of the computer system. In addition, the management system provides access for the administrator to modify the centrally stored configuration file as needed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the system administrator can access a management system screen, for example, a browser-based user interface screen, to prepare a desired configuration file. Each preference file can have the same choices for preference attributes, as shown in the screen capture below. From this option, the administrator can select when to activate a particular attribute included in the configuration file. Note that in all of the screen captures shown in FIG. 6 and the screen captures referred to below, the profile is equivalent to a configuration file. However, to maintain consistency, the term configuration file is used throughout most of this specification. However, the terms profile and configuration file are understood to be similar terms. To access the preferences file screen, the administrator can select a profile option 50 from the menu 52. The screen in FIG. 6 shows the environment setting file list 54. The environment setting file list 54 includes a basic environment setting file and two default environment setting files. By selecting the basic configuration file display 56, the system administrator can set up a basic configuration file that includes all of the configuration attributes common to all of the shipping center, the delivery computer, and the user. The basic configuration file may also include default settings or instructions for any other configuration attributes. Thus, if there is no aspect environment setting file for a specific aspect of a specific delivery computer system, the basic environment setting file is not overwritten, and therefore includes a default environment setting attribute. Alternatively, the system administrator can prepare a default aspect configuration file as described above. For example, a system administrator can prepare a guest computer configuration file by selecting guest computer display 58 and can prepare a guest user configuration file by selecting guest user display 60. The default aspect configuration file has default configuration attributes that will be applied when there is no aspect configuration file associated with a particular delivery computer and / or user of a particular delivery computer system.

  The system administrator can also prepare an aspect environment setting file. This aspect environment setting file includes environment setting attributes necessary to satisfy the above requirements of the delivery computer system. In order to create the aspect environment setting file, the name of the aspect environment setting file is input to the area 62, and the additional display 64 is selected. FIG. 7 is a screen capture of a list of environment setting files when six aspect environment setting files ACF1 to ACF6 are added to the environment setting file list. By selecting the ACF display 66 as the desired aspect environment setting file, the system administrator can access the environment setting attribute options of the aspect environment setting file. The administrator can delete any aspect environment setting file by selecting the delete display 68 associated with the file.

  An administrator links a script to a predetermined action that can be requested by a user of the delivery system or that can be automatically executed by the delivery system, and when that action occurs, the script performs a specific action If so, the administrator can select script option 70 from menu 52 to access the screen of FIG. 8A. As FIG. 8A shows, a new script can be created by entering the name of the new script in area 72 and selecting add display. Subsequently, the screen in FIG. 8B is displayed to the administrator when the administrator selects an existing script name and performs editing, uploading to the delivery application, downloading from the delivery application, or deletion. be able to. FIG. 8B shows how an existing script can be edited and saved via the management system. The script is a text file. This text file can be created and edited by any type of text editor known to those skilled in the art, and can be written in a scripting language such as, for example, Microsoft's VBSscript language. Thus, when an action (or actions) associated with the script occurs, the processing element can access and implement the script. This will be described later.

  After selecting any display 66 of the aspect configuration file, the screen of FIG. 9A is displayed and the administrator may select one of the general settings 74, device settings 76, or configuration fields 78. it can. In any of these categories, an activation area near the desired attribute can be selected to activate a particular environment setting attribute. When general settings 74 are selected, or in this embodiment, general settings 74 are automatically selected as the default when aspect configuration file display 66 is selected, FIGS. 9A and 9B. Will be displayed. The administrator can activate a desired general setting configuration attribute by selecting an activation area near the desired configuration setting attribute and providing the requested information regarding that attribute. The preference attributes that an administrator can activate in the general category are, but are not limited to, the default currency, package size and / or weight used to display shipping charges. Default unit of measure to be used when an item is entered into a delivery computer system, country where the delivery computer is located, language in which information is presented to the user, script for selection display or action such as an icon in the delivery application And creating a service group that includes any combination of delivery services available to the organization. The service group is a group including all of the “next day” delivery services, for example. To link a script to a selection display or action, an administrator can select an appropriate script from a list of existing scripts and select whether the script should be run on the client. The list of existing scripts is created as described for FIGS. 8A and 8B.

  Once the device settings 76 are selected, the administrator can select configuration attributes associated with various peripheral devices that communicate with the computer system network. As shown in FIG. 10A, for the particular delivery computer system in this example, the administrator selects the delivery computer's communication port and selects the appropriate peripheral device (eg, printer (or printers), weight). It has options for associating with a scale (or multiple scales) and a scanner (or multiple scanners). FIG. 10A also shows that the administrator has the option to create a reading template that sorts the information contained in the barcode. This reading template facilitates the use of barcode information by the delivery application. The administrator can also assign a script to a template that can be executed when a particular reading is identified, as shown in FIG. 10A. To link a script to a template, the administrator can specify a particular script from a list of existing scripts. This list is created as described for FIGS. 8A and 8B. If the device associated with the selected port is a printer, the administrator can also select the type of print stock used by the printer. As FIG. 10B shows, once a printer is assigned, the administrator can assign a specific report or label to the specific printer. As a result, the label is printed by the label printer, and the other document or report is printed by the other printer.

Once the preference field 78 is selected, the administrator can select a preference attribute associated with the delivery-related feature. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the administrator can select a group of a plurality of environment setting attributes related to delivery and activate the environment setting attributes in the category. This group includes but is not limited to package instructions, payment terms, customs information, dangerous goods information and consignee information. Within these groups there may be an option to specify default values for screen field prompts and an option to link a script to a field on the screen that can be executed if the field changes. To link a script to a field, the administrator can select the appropriate script from a list of existing scripts. This list is created as described with respect to FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 11B shows a screen capture when a consignee group is selected. In addition, the field preference category package search group includes options for customizing field prompts. For example, if an organization specifies a number associated with a delivery using a specific word, such as “order number”, “reference number”, or “shipping number”, the field prompt should be included in that word. Can be customized.

  Thus, in the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the administrator prepares ACF1 and ACF2 that include environment setting attributes relating to instructions and / or settings for configuring a peripheral device for a large package and a peripheral device for a small package, respectively. Can do. As described above, this preparation is performed by specifying an appropriate device in the device setting category. The peripheral device for the large luggage is, for example, a large luggage weight scale (s), and the peripheral device for the small luggage is, for example, a small luggage weight scale (s). The administrator can also prepare ACF3 and ACF4 including environment setting attributes necessary for setting the environment of the delivery computer that executes the delivery of the transportation device A and the transportation device B, respectively. As described above, this preparation is performed by designating an appropriate device in the device setting category for each transport device. Suitable devices are for example label printers and scanners. In addition, the administrator can prepare ACF5 and ACF6 including environment setting attributes necessary to configure the delivery computer that presents information to the user in Spanish and English, respectively. As described above, this preparation is performed by designating an appropriate language in the general setting category.

The system administrator can then associate ACFs 1 through 6 with a predetermined aspect of the delivery computer system. The predetermined aspects are, in this example, the users and computers of the delivery computer system, but can be extended to include any aspect of the delivery computer system, if desired. To associate the configuration file with a particular delivery computer in the delivery computer system, the administrator can select a computer option 80 from the menu 52. FIG. 12 shows a screen that an administrator can use to make an association between specific delivery computers. This association is accomplished by entering the name of the delivery computer in the computer field 82 and selecting the appropriate configuration file from the list of available configuration files 84 to obtain the profile, ie, the primary configuration file field 86 and / or Alternatively, it is performed by inputting the secondary profile, that is, the field 88 of the secondary environment setting file. For example, ACF1 may be associated with a shipping computer at shipping center A, thereby ensuring that shipping computer at shipping center A is configured for a peripheral device for large packages. As shown in FIG. 13, this association is performed by using a large-sized baggage carrier A delivery computer and a carrier B delivery computer, that is, the carrier A-large and the carrier B-large ACF1 as a primary environment setting file. It is done by associating with. ACF 2 can be associated with a shipping computer at shipping center B, which ensures that the shipping computer at shipping center B is configured for a small package peripheral device. As shown in FIG. 13, this association is performed by using a small package carrier A delivery computer and a carrier B delivery computer, that is, the carrier A-small and the carrier B-small ACF2 as a primary environment setting file. It is done by associating with. The ACF 3 can be associated with a transporter A delivery computer so that the transporter A delivery computer can be configured for peripheral devices associated with the transporter A, such as a given label printer and scanner. Guaranteed. As shown in FIG. 13, this association is performed by associating the transport device A—the large delivery computer and the transport device A—the small delivery computer with the ACF 3 as the secondary environment setting file. The ACF 4 can be associated with a transporter B delivery computer so that the transporter B delivery computer can be configured for peripheral devices associated with the transporter B, such as a given label printer and scanner. Guaranteed. This association is
As shown in FIG. 13, this is done by associating the transport device B—the large delivery computer and the transport device B—the small delivery computer with the ACF 4 as the secondary environment setting file.

  To associate the configuration file with a particular user of the delivery computer in the delivery computer system, the administrator can select a user option 90 from the menu 52. FIG. 14 shows a screen that an administrator can use to make an association between specific users. This association involves entering the user's name and user password, if appropriate, in the user name field 92 and password field 94, respectively, and selecting the appropriate configuration file from the list of available configuration files 96, This is done by entering the profile, i.e. the primary configuration file field 98 and / or the secondary profile, i.e. the secondary configuration file field 100. For example, ACF 5 can be associated with user A, which ensures that the delivery computer used by user A is configured to present information to user A in Spanish. As shown in FIG. 15, this association is performed by associating the user A with the user name with the ACF 5 as the primary environment setting file. The ACF 6 can be associated with the user B, which ensures that the delivery computer used by the user B is configured to present information to the user B in English. As shown in FIG. 15, this association is performed by associating the user B with the user name with the ACF 6 as the primary environment setting file. Although this example does not specify a secondary configuration file associated with user A or user B, the secondary configuration file is an operational session initiated by user A and / or user B on the delivery computer. Can be specified as needed for further customization. These associations can be stored in an association table and are described with reference to FIG.

  The example of the delivery computer system can also include a sequence for updating the basic environment setting file with the aspect environment setting file. In this example, the basic environment setting file is first updated by a primary environment setting file associated with a delivery computer of a specific delivery computer system, and then updated by the secondary environment setting file. Subsequently, the update result of the delivery computer with respect to the basic environment setting file is updated by the primary environment setting file and the secondary environment setting file associated with the user of the specific delivery computer system. The sequence is probably hard-coded within the processing element to provide a uniform update process for each particular computer system, or can be easily accessed and modified by an administrator. The environment setting attributes, associations, and sequences described above are just one example of a number of ways to prepare, associate, and update an environment setting file to generate a session environment setting file. Thus, the system and method of the present invention provides versatility and flexibility for configuring computer elements to meet all of the requirements of a computer system.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when a user A starts an operation session at a shipping center A with a specific delivery computer system and a transporter A delivery computer that constitutes an operation session, the processing element of the present invention Access the configuration file and update the basic configuration file with the appropriate aspect configuration file based on the association table and in sequence based order. Thus, the basic configuration file is first updated by the primary computer configuration file ACF1, then updated by the secondary computer configuration file ACF3, then updated by the primary user configuration file ACF5, and finally And updated by the secondary user environment setting file. Note that this secondary user environment setting file is not specified in this example. The result after updating by the ACF 5 is the final result of generating the session environment setting file. The session environment setting file delivers the transport device A so as to communicate with both the large baggage peripheral device and the transporter A peripheral device, execute delivery of the large baggage, and present information to the user A in Spanish. Set up the computer. Similarly, when user B initiates an operating session at shipping center A with a specific delivery computer system and carrier B delivery computer that constitutes the operating session, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and The configuration file is updated with the appropriate aspect configuration file based on the association table and in sequence based order. Thus, the basic configuration file is first updated by the primary computer configuration file ACF1, then updated by the secondary computer configuration file ACF4, then updated by the primary user configuration file ACF6, and finally And updated by the secondary user environment setting file. Note that this secondary user environment setting file is not specified in this example. The result after updating by the ACF 6 is the final result of generating the session environment setting file. This session environment setting file is for delivery of the transport device B so as to communicate with both the large load peripheral device and the transport device B peripheral device, execute the delivery of the large load, and present information to the user B in English. Set up the computer.

  Further, when the user A starts an operation session at the shipping center B with the delivery device A delivery computer, the processing element accesses the basic environment setting file, and based on the related table, the basic environment setting file is accessed by the sequence. Update with the appropriate aspect configuration file in the order based on. Thus, the basic configuration file is first updated by the primary computer configuration file ACF2, then updated by the secondary computer configuration file ACF3, then updated by the primary user configuration file ACF5, and finally And updated by the secondary user environment setting file. Note that this secondary user environment setting file is not specified in this example. The result after updating by the ACF 5 is the final result of generating the session environment setting file. The session environment setting file delivers the transport device A so as to communicate with both the small package peripheral device and the transport device A peripheral device, execute delivery of the small package, and present information to the user A in Spanish. Set up the computer. Finally, when the user B starts an operating session at the shipping center B with the delivery device B delivery computer, the processing element of the present invention accesses the basic configuration file, and based on the related table, the basic configuration file. And in an order based on the sequence, update with the appropriate aspect configuration file. Thus, the basic configuration file is first updated by the primary computer configuration file ACF2, then updated by the secondary computer configuration file ACF4, then updated by the primary user configuration file ACF6, and finally And updated by the secondary user environment setting file. Note that this secondary user environment setting file is not specified in this example. The result after updating by the ACF 6 is the final result of generating the session environment setting file. This session environment setting file is for the transport device B delivery so as to communicate with both the small package peripheral device and the transport device B peripheral device, execute the delivery of the small package, and present information to the user B in English. Set up the computer.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the user B starts an operation session at the shipping center A with the delivery device A delivery computer, the processing element uses the example of FIG. 4A to generate a session environment setting file. In the same way as described, the basic configuration file and the association table are accessed and the basic configuration file is updated by ACF1, ACF3, and ACF6. This session environment setting file is for the transport device A delivery so as to communicate with both the large baggage peripheral device and the transport device A peripheral device, execute the large baggage delivery, and present information to the user B in English. Set up the computer. Similarly, when user A initiates an operating session at the shipping center A with the delivery device B delivery computer, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and associated table to generate a session configuration file. , Basic environment setting file, AC
Update by F1, ACF4, and ACF5. This session environment setting file delivers the transport device B so as to communicate with both the large baggage peripheral device and the transport device B peripheral device, execute the large baggage delivery, and present information to the user A in Spanish. Set up the computer. Further, when user B initiates an operating session at the shipping center B with the delivery device A delivery computer, the processing element accesses the basic configuration file and associated table to generate the session configuration file, The environment setting file is updated by ACF2, ACF3, and ACF6. This session environment setting file is for the transport device A delivery so as to communicate with both the small package peripheral device and the transport device A peripheral device, execute the delivery of the small package, and present information to the user B in English. Set up the computer. Finally, when user A initiates an operating session at the shipping center B with the delivery device B delivery computer, the processing element accesses the base configuration file and associated table to generate a session configuration file, The basic environment setting file is updated by ACF2, ACF4, and ACF5. The session environment setting file delivers the transport device B so as to communicate with both the small package peripheral device and the transport device B peripheral device, execute the delivery of the small package, and present information to the user A in Spanish. Set up the computer.

  Thus, the system and method for setting the environment of the computer system of the present invention provide a management system that allows an administrator to prepare an environment setting file. This configuration file efficiently and flexibly configures any computer element / delivery computer appropriately based on at least the user of the computer element, the location of the computer element, and the computer element itself. Further, the administrator can prepare a predetermined environment setting file having general environment setting attributes and another environment setting file having specific environment setting attributes, and can store the environment setting file in the center. . As a result, changes to the environment setting file are easily performed and implemented on the computer element. Thus, the location of the user and / or the location of the computer element may vary, and the computer element will continue to be appropriately configured based on the particular operating session of the computer system. The invention allows any user to use any computer element at any location.

  Many of the functionalities described above are implemented by the processing elements of the present invention. Specifically, the processing elements mentioned in the above description and examples are present in the computer element (s) and / or server independently of the computer element (s) and / or server, respectively. Can do. As a result, the processing elements perform the appropriate processes by being accessible by each while being logically independent of any particular physical computer element or server. Thus, the computer element (s) can request and receive information without indicating or even noticing how or where the information is processed. This makes it possible to separate the server processing from the computer elements and peripheral devices. The processing element may comprise an interface available to the computer element. This interface manages the processing that can occur at the computer element and / or the server. The interface manages support processing for both static configuration data and dynamic transaction data. These data may be a data string or a composite data object.

However, if the data transferred between the computer system component and the server or any other network component is in the form of a composite object, both the sending component and the receiving component have information about the object. Must know. This object breaks the location independence of processing elements. Thus, if any type of composite data that the sending and receiving components need to know information about the data, such as composite object data, is transferred, the location independence of the processing element is the sending end of the transfer. At the receiving end by converting the data into a representation reconfigurable into composite data. An expression that can be reconstructed into the composite data is, for example, a character string expression. This process is sometimes referred to as deflating the composite data at the sending end to an expression that can inflate the composite data at the receiving end of the communication link.

  For example, in the computer system and delivery computer system described above, the computer element / delivery computer does not need to know where the processing takes place, the user interface, the method of receiving information from the user, and the process from the processing component Or you can have application software that has only instructions on how to request information. Thus, for example, running scripts, generating labels and reports, inserting entries into the address book, referencing entries in the address book, retrieving package history for inquiry numbers, or any other process Any of the application processes are manipulated by the processing component and the results are presented to the computer element / delivery computer. The computer element / delivery computer does not know where or how the process is performed. Since the computer element / delivery computer is not part of the process management device, a corresponding computer element / delivery when making changes to an application, data storage, server, processing element, or any other component. This can be done without having to change the computer. If not, the user or system administrator must access the computer element / delivery computer in some way to make the appropriate changes when the computer system or any other component of the network changes. Although it will be necessary, the time and effort of the user and the system administrator is further saved because the above changes are not necessary.

As explained in the above discussion and examples, the system and method for controlling the operation of the computer system of the present invention takes into account all the requirements and aspects of the computer system that exist for a particular operating session of a particular computer system. It is provided to configure the computer element by creating a session environment setting file. Therefore, the present invention can be used for any type of computer system. In this computer system, computer system aspects are associated with various configuration attributes to efficiently and effectively configure various computer elements, and can be applied to specific computer system operating sessions. Includes only configuration attributes.

  Many modifications and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention described herein pertains that have the benefit of the teachings presented above and in the associated drawings. . Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and modifications thereof, and that other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. It should be. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 1 is a network diagram of communication between a computer element of a computer system and a server via a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a content diagram of a storage element of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a network diagram of a computer system that includes two locations, each having two computer elements utilized by two users, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is an alternative configuration of the network diagram of FIG. 3A, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a network diagram of a delivery computer system according to one embodiment of the present invention that includes two shipping centers each having two delivery computers utilized by two users. FIG. 4B is an alternative configuration of the network diagram of FIG. 4A, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the association of multiple aspect configuration files with a particular user, computer element and location of a computer system. FIG. 6 is a screen capture of an environment setting file displayed and available to the administrator of the delivery computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the process of creating the environment setting file. FIG. 7 is another screen capture, according to one embodiment of the present invention, of the screen of FIG. 5 of the available configuration file that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system and that includes the created aspect configuration file. . FIG. 8A is a screen capture according to one embodiment of the present invention of a screen that is displayed to the administrator of the shipping computer system and the script is created, edited, or otherwise manipulated. FIG. 8B is a screen capture according to one embodiment of the present invention of a screen displayed to the administrator of the shipping computer system and where a script is created, edited, or otherwise manipulated. FIG. 9A is a screen capture of an environment setting attribute according to an embodiment of the present invention that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system and can be activated in the general setting category of the environment setting attribute. FIG. 9B is a screen capture of an environment setting attribute according to one embodiment of the present invention that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system and can be activated in the general setting category of the environment setting attribute. FIG. 10A is a screen capture of an environment setting attribute according to an embodiment of the present invention that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system and can be activated in the device setting category of the environment setting attribute. FIG. 10B is a screen capture of an environment setting attribute that can be activated by the device setting category of the environment setting attribute that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system. FIG. 11A is a screen capture of an environment setting attribute according to an embodiment of the present invention that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system and can be activated in the environment setting field category of the environment setting attribute. FIG. 11B is a screen capture of an environment setting attribute according to an embodiment of the present invention that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system and can be activated in the environment setting field category of the environment setting attribute. FIG. 12 is an illustration of fields available to an administrator of a delivery computer system and available to associate a particular delivery computer of the delivery computer system with at least one aspect configuration file, according to one embodiment of the invention. Screen capture. FIG. 13 is a screen capture according to an embodiment of the present invention that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system and shows the association between a particular delivery computer of the delivery computer system and a predetermined aspect configuration file. FIG. 14 is a screen capture of fields available to an administrator of a shipping computer system and available to associate a particular user of the shipping computer system with at least one aspect configuration file according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is. FIG. 15 is a screen capture according to one embodiment of the present invention that is displayed to the administrator of the delivery computer system and shows the association between a particular user of the delivery computer system and a predetermined aspect configuration file.

Claims (21)

A system used in a network having at least one server and at least one specific computer system,
A storage element for storing at least one basic environment setting file having environment setting attributes common to a plurality of computer systems of the network and a plurality of environment setting files including at least two aspect environment setting files. A storage element having at least one configuration attribute specific to a particular computer system of the network, and another aspect configuration file having at least one configuration attribute specific to a user;
A processing element that communicates with the storage element, the at least one server and the at least one computer system and controls the operation of the at least one particular computer system, wherein the aspect configuration file at the start of an operation session Updating the basic environment setting file by applying the at least one environment setting attribute to each of the basic environment setting files to generate a session environment setting file, and setting the specific computer system to the session environment setting file Control based on the processing element ,
The processing element generates the session environment setting file by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the plurality of aspect environment setting files,
The basic configuration file is updated by the plurality of aspect configuration files in a predetermined changeable sequence.
system. Configuration attributes of said aspect preference file used for updating the basic configuration file sequentially overwrites the configuration attributes updated in the basic configuration file Early Aspect configuration file of the sequence ,
The system of claim 1. The processing element can receive an activation instruction associated with a configuration attribute in at least one of the plurality of aspect configuration files;
In the processing element, an activated environment setting attribute included in an aspect environment setting file subsequent to the sequence has priority over an environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file and the initial aspect environment setting file of the sequence. As described above, according to the predetermined sequence, the session environment setting attribute is generated by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the at least one aspect environment setting file. ,
The system according to claim 2. There are a plurality of aspect configuration files associated with the specific computer system,
At least one aspect configuration file is associated with a first location where a particular computer element of the particular computer system may be located, and at least one aspect configuration file may use the particular computer element. Associated with one user,
The processing element is included in the aspect configuration file associated with the first location when the particular computer element is located at the first location and is used by the first user. The session environment setting file is generated by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute and the environment setting attribute included in the aspect environment setting file associated with the first user. ,
The system of claim 1. An association table defines an association between at least one aspect configuration file and at least one of the first location and the first user;
The processing element accesses the association table and, based on the association of the table, associates with the configuration attribute and the first user included in the aspect configuration file associated with the first location Generating the session environment setting file by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the aspect environment setting file;
The system according to claim 4. At least one of the basic environment setting file and the plurality of aspect environment setting files further includes a script that defines a predetermined operation of the specific computer system, and the predetermined operation is an action of the processing element. Which requires implementation,
When the computer system is requested to perform the predetermined operation, the processing element performs the action associated with the script.
The system of claim 1. A processing element for controlling the operation of the specific computer system based on a predetermined aspect of the specific computer system,
The processing element utilizes a session configuration file that defines specific environment settings used to operate the particular computer system during an operating session, and the processing element at the start of the operating session A basic environment setting file having environment setting attributes common to general computer systems, at least one aspect environment setting file having at least one environment setting attribute specific to the specific computer system, and at least one specific to a user Generating the session configuration file with at least one aspect configuration file having one configuration attribute ;
The processing element generates the session environment setting file by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the plurality of aspect environment setting files,
The basic configuration file is updated by the aspect configuration file in a predetermined changeable sequence.
Processing element. Said plurality of configuration attributes for Aspect configuration file, the initial aspect Preferences Preferences attributes updated in the basic configuration file by the file of the sequence used to update the basic configuration file in order Overwrite,
The processing element according to claim 7. The processing element can receive an activation instruction associated with a configuration attribute in at least one of the plurality of aspect configuration files;
In the processing element, an activated environment setting attribute included in an aspect environment setting file subsequent to the sequence has priority over an environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file and the initial aspect environment setting file of the sequence. As described above, the session environment setting attribute is generated by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the at least one aspect environment setting file according to the predetermined sequence. To
9. A processing element according to claim 8. A method for controlling the operation of at least one particular computer system in a network having at least one server and at least one particular computer system, comprising:
Providing a plurality of environment setting files comprising at least one basic environment setting file having environment setting attributes common to a plurality of computer systems of the network and at least two aspect environment setting files; Providing a configuration file having at least one configuration attribute specific to a particular computer system of the network, and another aspect configuration file having at least one configuration attribute specific to a user;
Updating the basic environment setting file by applying the at least one environment setting attribute in each of the aspect environment setting files to the basic environment setting file at the start of an operating session, whereby the session environment Creating and updating a configuration file;
Controlling the specific computer system based on the session environment setting file ,
The providing step provides a plurality of aspect configuration files associated with the specific computer system;
The updating step generates the session environment setting file by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the plurality of aspect environment setting files,
The updating step combines the aspect configuration file with the basic configuration file in a predetermined changeable sequence;
Method. The configuration attributes of the aspect configuration file combined at the end of the sequence override the configuration attributes of the aspect configuration file combined at the beginning of the sequence.
The method of claim 10. At least one of the basic configuration file and the at least one aspect configuration file provided in the providing step includes an activation instruction associated with an environment setting attribute of the configuration file;
The updating step includes the basic environment setting so that an activated environment setting attribute included in an environment setting file subsequent to the sequence takes precedence over an environment setting attribute included in an initial environment setting file of the sequence. Generating the session environment setting file by combining an environment setting attribute included in the file and an environment setting attribute included in the at least one aspect environment setting file according to a predetermined sequence;
The method of claim 10. The providing step provides a first aspect configuration file including general configuration attributes and a second aspect configuration file including specific configuration attributes;
The updating step combines the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the attribute of the first aspect environment setting file and the attribute of the second aspect environment setting file. To provide a session configuration file that includes configuration attributes defined by both general configuration attributes and specific configuration attributes.
The method of claim 10. The providing step provides a plurality of aspect configuration files;
One of the aspect configuration files is at least one of a user configuration file, a computer element configuration file, and a location configuration file,
The updating step generates the session environment setting file by updating an environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with an environment setting attribute included in at least one of the aspect environment setting files. ,
The method of claim 10. The providing step provides a plurality of aspect configuration files associated with the specific computer system;
At least one aspect configuration file is associated with a first location where the particular computer system may be located, and at least one aspect configuration file is associated with a first user who may use the particular computer system. And
If the particular computer system is located at the first location and is used by the first user, the updating step is included in the aspect configuration file associated with the first location. The session environment setting file is generated by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the aspect environment setting file associated with the first user. To
The method of claim 14. An association table defines an association between at least one aspect configuration file and at least one of the first location and the first user;
The updating step accesses the association table and, based on the association of the table, the configuration attribute and the first user included in the aspect configuration file associated with the first location; Generating the session environment setting file by updating the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute included in the related aspect environment setting file;
The method according to claim 14. The providing step includes a first aspect configuration file including general configuration attributes associated with each user in the group, and a specific configuration attribute associated with a specific user in the group. 2 aspect configuration files are provided,
The updating step combines the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the attribute of the first aspect environment setting file and the attribute of the second aspect environment setting file. Thereby providing a session configuration file that includes configuration attributes defined by both general configuration attributes associated with the group of users and specific configuration attributes associated with the particular user. To
The method according to claim 14. The providing step includes a first aspect configuration file that includes general configuration attributes associated with all computer elements in the group, and specific configuration attributes associated with specific computer elements in the group. Provide a second aspect configuration file containing
The updating step updates the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute of the first aspect environment setting file and the environment setting attribute of the second aspect environment setting file, Generate the session configuration file, thereby providing a session configuration file that includes both general configuration attributes associated with the group of computer elements and specific configuration attributes associated with the particular computer element To
The method according to claim 14. The providing step includes a first aspect configuration file that includes general configuration attributes associated with each location within a given area, and a configuration attribute that includes configuration attributes associated with a particular location within the area. 2 aspect configuration files are provided,
The updating step updates the environment setting attribute included in the basic environment setting file with the environment setting attribute of the first aspect environment setting file and the environment setting attribute of the second aspect environment setting file, A session configuration file that generates both the session configuration file and thereby includes both general configuration attributes associated with all locations within a given area and specific configuration attributes associated with the particular location I will provide a,
The method according to claim 14. At least one of the basic environment setting file and the plurality of aspect environment setting files provided in the providing step further includes a script that defines a predetermined operation of the specific computer system, and the predetermined operation Is a request to perform an action in the controlling step,
When the computer system is required to perform the predetermined operation, the controlling step performs the action associated with the script;
The method of claim 10. The providing step provides at least one aspect configuration file having at least one configuration attribute specific to one of a particular computer element, a user of the computer element, and a location of the computer element;
The method of claim 10.

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